The Tamara Foundation has had a long relationship with the Union Gospel Mission. In fact, one of the board members of the Tamara Foundation sat on the board for UGM for ten years. He also chaired the UGM Building Committee for five years, which was responsible for the creation of a men’s residential alcohol and drug recovery centre.
UGM has a solid reputation with the City of Vancouver and British Columbia Housing, in helping men recover from addiction. A few years ago, UGM desired to start expanding their services to women and families.
So often, women impacted by substance abuse hesitate to reach out for help due to the fear of having their children apprehended by child protection services. Providing compassionate support is at the forefront of UGM’s work. To create a safe space where women can receive the care they need, UGM founded the Sanctuary.
“The Sanctuary provides a temporary home for women who want to work towards recovery, but who aren’t quite sure how to navigate that path just yet. During their stay, women struggling with addiction receive support as they consider a recovery- centred life. Providing compassionate one-on-one counselling, UGM is able to tailor each woman’s stabilization journey to her unique needs.” –Union Gospel Mission
The Sanctuary started as a pilot project in 2012 as a transitional housing program. It provided 24/7 supervision for up to twenty-one women, including six women and their infants. The Tamara Foundation donated towards the pilot project. In March of 2018 the Tamara Foundation pledged $300,000 towards the UGM capital campaign to turn the Sanctuary into a complete residential alcohol and drug program.
The Tamara Foundation’s deep care for women and children cannot be overstated. They were a key catalyst in UGM being able to start a program called The Sanctuary. This program provides women and mothers with babies the opportunity to begin a journey towards freedom from addiction, poverty and homelessness. As UGM embraces the women we serve through support, care and encouragement, the Tamara Foundation continues to equip us as an organization with the resources to do so. What a tremendous gift!”
Ryan Koch – Director, Resource Development
June 2022
Dear Tamara Foundation:
It has been such a privilege to partner with you to provide care for so many men, women and children. Your generosity is incredibly inspiring!
As you know, we have just opened a new groundbreaking Centre and are welcoming single women, moms and their children into this beautiful facility. The Women and Families centre is much more than a building. It is a place for healing and building a solid footing for sustaining recovery as women and children make this space their home and a place of sanctuary for up to 5 years.
It will play a pivotal role in empowering women to change – and most importantly, to sustain that transformation through the rest of their lives. It is offering the most effective and restorative programs for single women, moms and their children, providing them with the tools to live free of addiction and successfully rebuild their lives and families.
This is a beautiful addition to the facilities and programs that we have been running for many, many years. And we could not do it without you.
With much gratitude,
William B. Mollard Ryan Koch
President Director, Resource Development
To learn more about this project click here, or visit the Union Gospel Mission website to learn more about their organization.